#1

Spray Tan Heaven

Why Spray Tanning?
From the long list of tasks I'm incapable of (including painting my nails and french plaits) fake tanning myself is probably the most frustrating. My tanning mitt is currently sitting in my bathroom, green in colour along with my 'St Moriz' and 'Rimmel' fake tan. Whilst my friends bask in (cost effective!) bronzed glory, I stand half shimmery, half pale (due to my fear of fake tanning my face) convincing myself 'no one will notice because it's dark'.

I'd like to point out that I'm certainly not a bad workman blaming my tools, fake tan is great, my application isn't. Which brings me to the only logical answer; spray tanning. For anyone feeling pale and a bit rubbish, a spray tan is like a hundred compliments all at once. You should expect to pay between £15 - £25 for a decent spray tan, I'd class any more than that as a bit of a rip off.

Preperation
Now, how to prepare for your spray tan. The most obvious is to exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! My favorite (and I've tried dozens) has to be Garnier Body Tonic Body Scrub (find it in Boots/Supermarkets) in yellow packaging. A little more expensive than your average exfoliator, but definitely worth the extra pennies in smoothness. I use this in the bath the night before a spray tan (you should also shave the night before). It helps if you use a mitt that gently exfoliates too, I tend to use a body brush from Body Shop to do some last minute buffing.

On the day
I've visited a few spray tanning professionals (including Benefit who use Fake Bake solution at £20.00 for full body) but personally, prefer to visit someone at their home/studio. I like to visit a tanning studio in Uggs and a dressing gown if I can, you can hardly do this in Debenhams (but whatever takes your fancy I suppose..?). Usually, you can be provided with paper knickers and a hairnet free of charge (just to make you feel a little bit more self conscious). You can also choose to have half body/full body/stand there topless/stand with a top/bra - whatever makes you feel comfortable (as you can!).
The process should take roughly about 10-15 minutes, and with the right person shouldn't feel rushed (hello patchy skin the next day!)

Be CAREFUL when you put your clothes back on, if you can, wear a strapless top and loose clothing (obviously avoid jeans etc.) I try and wait about 5-10 minutes before putting my clothes on, the right solution shouldn't feel sticky for too long. You will find that your tan develops during the night, but the colour that you are immediately after gives a good indication to your final colour.

The Next Day
Don't be scared if you get up in the night and look like Ross from Friends after his spray tan - this is normal. Go to the shower but don't scrub/shave. Try to avoid having a really long hot shower. You will see the water turning brown, don't panic! This is the solution washing off, you will still be tanned! When you get out, don't make the same mistake I did before and rub yourself dry with a towel, you'll risk streaking your tan. Try and be as gentle as possible.

How Long Should It Last?
Depending on the solution it can last anything from 3-7 days for me. However, the quality of this stage is down to your moisturizing! Moisturize daily - I use Palmer's cocoa butter and find this maintains it nicely without the tan looking scaly.

Where should I go for my Spray Tan?
I prefer a home visit, but Benefit are rolling out their Fake Bake spray tan in lots of Debenhams.
My favourite has become: "Tanya WHITEbits" https://www.facebook.com/post.tanyawhitebits?fref=ts
A family friend with an entrepreneurial spirit to set the spray tanning market on fire. I love the solution and have had many compliments on how natural it looks.
Anyone spray tanners out there looking to buy a solution, get in contact with her VIA facebook or twitter.

I've got 12% Tanya WHITEbits solution on here, for a more discreet colour there is 9% or if you dare darker; 14%.

Please note I am nowhere near a professional, these tips are just from my personal experience. Your spray tanner should give you any advice you need.